Qualifications & entry requirements

We are committed to helping you achieve your dreams and guarantee your progression on to the next level with us. This information below illustrates how we can support you to progress all the way from Level 2 up to Level 6.

One year
• 3 GCSEs grades A*-D or 9-3 ideally including English and maths OR
• A qualification at Level 1
Two years
• 3 GCSEs grades A*-G or 9-1 ideally including English and maths and a keen interest in a relevant subject
OR
• Other relevant levels of qualification or experience will be considered

GCSEs A*-C or 9-4

What are study programmes?

In today’s competitive market, employers and
universities are looking for much more than just a
qualification. At Bedford College, alongside your
industry-recognised qualification, you’ll also study
English and maths and improve your personal and
employability skills.

You will either study at Intermediate Level and progress
on to Advanced Level, or start at Advanced Level.

Your study programme will provide you with:

A nationally-recognised qualification

English and maths skills. If you have a grade D or 3
in GCSE English and maths you will be required to
re-sit these qualifications. Those with a GCSE grade
2 or below will be required to study Functional Skills
English and maths to work towards resitting GCSE
English and maths.

Work experience. Every student will have a minimum
of 20 hours per year/programme of external work
experience

Personal development skills

Study skills

Employability skills

Possibility of additional vocational learning and
qualifications, depending on the programme
you choose.

Why do I need English and maths?English and maths qualifications are essential whichever path you want to take in today’s world of work and education.

Jobs
Many employers complain that too many young people lack the literacy (English) and numeracy (maths) skills needed for jobs in today’s workplace. In fact, these are the skills that employers demand above all others.

Further or Higher Education
If you want to continue in education, you’ll find that entry on to higher level courses also requires grades A*-C or 9-4 in GCSE English and maths. The requirement to continue studying English and maths is not about resitting exams, but increasing your skills and widening your opportunities.

New GCSE grades

A new grading system for GCSEs started in August 2017.
The new GCSEs are graded 9–1, rather than A*–G, with
grade 9 being the highest and set above the old A*.
Grade 4 is equivalent to the old grade C.

Old GCSE structure

GCSE/A-Level equivalent

A*

9

A

8

7

B

6

C

5
4

D

3

E

2

F

1

G

U

U

GOOD PASS RATE (DfE) C and above/4 and above

Higher education or a higher apprenticeship

We have high expectations for our students. 40% of our
Advanced Level (Level 3) students went on to study a
degree after studying with us last year. They went on to
study subjects at over 91 institutions across the UK in 2017,
including:

Anglia Ruskin University

Aston University

Brunel University

Cardiff University

De Montfort University

King’s College London (University of London)

Manchester Metropolitan University

Nottingham Trent University

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Brighton

University of Southampton.

All of our Advanced Level full-time study and
apprenticeship programmes have a UCAS points value.